St. Thomas More in Cañon City has consistently performed up to 80 bariatric surgery cases per year since 2003 with excellent outcomes, low re-admission rates, and low complication rates. We are committed to providing excellent care for bariatric patients, and have developed specialized operating rooms, intensive care unit rooms and patient rooms to specifically accommodate the needs of bariatric patients.

Our 360-degree team approach to nutrition, exercise, counseling, education and surgical options will help you regain an active, healthy lifestyle and reach your wellness goals. Our free weight loss support group highlights diet progression for Lap Band, gastric bypass or sleeve gastrectomy procedures, as well as general health and wellness education in an open, caring environment.

We also offer the Lap-Band as an alternative surgery for weight loss. In fact, St. Thomas More Hospital, in Cañon City, premiered the procedure the same year it was approved in the United States by the FDA. The Lap-Band is minimally invasive, adjustable and reversible, and is done as outpatient surgery. Like a wristwatch, the silicone band is fastened around the upper stomach to create a new, tiny stomach pouch. As a result, patients experience an earlier sensation of fullness and are satisfied with smaller amounts of food.

The band is adjusted at regular intervals to meet individual patient weight loss needs. This can be done in the physician's office. After an initial rapid weight loss, patients will lose approximately 1-2 pounds per week. Patients must be prepared to make lifestyle changes and maintain those changes, as well as have regular follow-up sessions with their surgeon for the adjustments. Patients must meet the same National Institutes of Health criteria as for the Gastric Bypass procedure.

Our surgery department has extensive experience working with this procedure. Your surgeon can provide you with more information on the Lap-Band Procedure.

People who have undergone bariatric surgery and those considering the procedure have a resource available to them. St. Thomas More Hospital in Cañon City, Colorado has developed a support group that will provide you with support through your journey, as well as information on diet progression for Lap-Band, Gastric Bypass or Sleeve Gastrectomy to reinforce prior education. The group meets on the first Wednesday of each month from 5 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. in the hospital's North Conference Room. People are welcome to join at any time, and there is no cost to attend.

Patients who attend the support group may see up to a 10% increase in positive outcomes with their weight loss goals or surgery. Also, if people attend the support group and are able to gain more control of their weight, any subsequent weight loss surgery they may end up having will prove to be safer. We encourage full participation in the weight loss support group.

"Our weight loss support group is absolutely free and open to anyone in the community," said April Irvine, M.S., the hospital's Registered Dietitian and Nutrition Care Manager, who partners with all bariatric patients on their nutrition plans. "We encourage you to attend if you have already had weight loss surgery, are considering it, or just want to gain control of your weight. We provide education on healthy eating and exercise in a comfortable, supportive atmosphere."

The group encourages people to share their feelings in a non-judgmental environment. The goal is to have open discussion on success and struggles with bariatric surgery, and help people make personal connections with others.

We offer a comfortable environment that will evoke discussion amongst people who have gone through the surgery, or those contemplating it. We will facilitate the discussion so that they can find comfort in one another and share their feelings openly on how the surgery has impacted their life.

Group meetings will also feature health and wellness education. Some topics to be presented include fitness planning, including 10-15 minute exercises, stress reduction, positive reinforcement to gain confidence, how to make positive behavior change in life after surgery, sample recipes, menu planning and periodic chef demonstrations.